Frank

Hi, I'm Will McCullough.

So what do I want to do with this blog? I'm not really sure. But here's a bit about me.

Let's come right out and say it: I'm a Christian. I love my faith and I love to discuss it. I don't know what baggage the noun "Christian" carries to you, but I'll try to do it justice by what I've learned from Jesus: It's summed up as loving God and loving each other.

Please don't expect me to fulfill any polarizing fundamental stereotypes one might be accustomed to seeing on the media; that's just silly. And let's get another thing clear: Fred Phelps does not, in my opinion, follow Christ's teachings. To quote my roommate Steve, "Fred Phelps represents Christians about as well as Adolph Hitler represents moustaches."

That said, I'll try not to focus too intensely on any one aspect, but I'd like to look at a lot of topics and give one Christian's worldview, if there is such a thing. I want this blog to be a dialogue. I want this to be a place where any question can be asked and any comment raised. Basically, I want to be a friend, not a religious jerk.

For some background, here's a brief synopsis of my life: I was born in Kansas City, but my family moved to Newton, a town of 16,000, before I could remember. I grew up there, went to high school there, had my first girlfriend there, you know, etc. Then I came to KU. Oh, and I was an only child. I always think that's a good thing to point out. By the way, growing up an only child was so-so: I didn't have to share, compromise much, etc. But when I get married, I'm going to have more than one kid. But I digress.

I wasn't always a "Christian", so to speak. I mean, I went to church with my family, but always dreaded sitting for an hour and a half on Sunday morning and never really understood what it was all about. After going to a church camp on my own accord for multiple years, I finally saw a side of people that I never truly saw anywhere else: they simply loved each other. I really can't explain it beyond that. There weren't any frills to it. They simply watched out for each other, forgave each other, and looked to God for help doing it. And they had something, some sort of hidden energy that allowed them to pick themselves up from an argument or frustrating situation and to drop it freely. They weren't just putting on a front; they legitimately had relief from all sorts of otherwise psychologically damaging circumstances, both big and small. They lived freely. I wanted what they had.

Also, I think it's important to note that I wasn't on the path to becoming some sort of religious person. I went to public school, never knew John 3:16 and used to make fun of infomercials advertising praise music. My parents always raised me to question what I was taught and to challenge the status quo, which is how I want to raise my kids. Truth will vindicate itself. I think it kind of shocked them when I told them I gave my life to Christ.

So there you have it. I recognize this is a terribly sensitive subject for a lot of people, and it is my goal to be respectful. I pray I can be a cup of cool water in this tremendous discussion, not just another voice of intolerance.